Auto Binary's Automotive Synopsis
 from Auto Electrical to Fibre Optical  Interconnected and Computerised Motor Vehicle Networks
The modern motor vehicles are replete with advanced electrical and electronic technologies. It all started in 1902, when Robert Bosch introduced the double coil magneto system to the internal combustion engines. These systems where too bulky to be used in motor cars and  in 1910, Delco introduced  the Battery Operated Ignition system to Cadillac cars. The next development was the Mechanical Timed Ignition. This is the most recognized system of  all. A mechanical distributor, operated by a cam, would open a set of "points", which would create a spark across an High Tension Coil and a Spark Plug (Fig 1). Because these systems required high maintenance and were not very efficient, during the late 1970's, the first Electronic Ignition was introduced (Fig 2). This latest system was further developed and with the introduction of the Electronic Fuel Injection systems, the Engine Management System - EMS - was created (Fig 3). This computer, commonly called ECU - Engine Control Unit - took over the Electronic Ignition and the Electronic Injection systems, together with many other functions from older electrical and mechanical systems. This was the beginning of the Computerised Motor Vehicle and with it, the On-Board Diagnostics.

Fig 2
Fig 1
Motronic (ECU), Sensors and Actuators

Fig 3
Areas Requiring Sophisticated Diagnostics and Analysis
The Present Challenges

Nowadays, all motor vehicles have an ever growing number of on-board computers, which require sophisticated intercommunication systems (BUS). From Tyre Pressure sensors to drive-by-wire driver controls, everything in the modern car is controlled by computers. The later models have already replaced electrical wires with Fibre Optics and (FlexRay), to interconnect all ECMs (electronic control modules). This ever growing complex world of  Digital and Analog  Computerised Systems, although very reliable, require maintenance and repairs from time-to-time. The average car owner or auto electrician, can no longer perform the usual repairs. To be able to perform analysis, troubleshooting and repairs on these complex systems, the old faithful "tool box" has been replaced by computers running sophisticated software applications. Perfect examples of those complexities are the 2006 BMW X5 (Fig 4), the first production car to use FlexRay and (Fig 5), which shows the new FlexRay car network, soon to become a standard.

Formula 1 drive-by-wire Systems

 BMW X5 Electronic Controlled Systems
Fig 4

Fig 5
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